The College Football Playoff continues with Notre Dame beating Indiana 27-17 and Penn State overpowering SMU 38-10, advancing both teams to next stage contests. Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love starred with a 98-yard touchdown run, earning a Sugar Bowl spot against Georgia. Penn State’s performance featured two defensive touchdowns and strong running, sealing a quarterfinal matchup against Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. The results sparked controversy over playoff selections, as teams like Alabama and Miami were overlooked for playoff berths despite strong seasons.